Rockefeller Urges Nixon to Review U.S. Support of Israel to Correct Mideast Arms Balance

Governor Nelson Rockefeller urged yesterday an immediate review by President Nixon of United States support of Israel to correct the mounting “Imbalance” caused by the active introduction of Soviet pilots into the Middle East crisis. Speaking at a session of the 57th annual meeting of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith the Governor said “I can appreciate the President’s desire for an arms limitation to cool the Middle East, If we are talking about true arms limitation across the board, I say ‘fine.’ But when we are talking about arms denial to Israel alone, I say no” Continuing, Mr. Rockefeller declared: “Israel’s existence, its necessity to exist, its right to exist, is the reality the Arab world must accept. But in the meantime, Israel must be kept strong. And to me, that means U.S. military equipment to help her stay strong.” Dore Schary, honorary chairman of the League, told the national leaders of the organization that the problem of Israel cannot be related to that of Vietnam. He said the differences between the two crises are that “Israel is a true democracy, a united nation and is asking only for arms with which to defend herself” while “Vietnam is undemocratic, disunited and dependent upon American manpower.” Mr. Schary also warned that Jews will be in big trouble” if dissent is repressed in this country. He related the problem of dissent “to the very guts and fabric of this nation” and added, “If Abraham could plead with God. we can stand up and argue with anyone.”